Bukhalalire High School in Butula Sub-County has been closed indefinitely after a devastating fire razed one of its dormitories on Sunday night, leaving at least six students critically injured.
Confirming the incident on Monday, May 12, Butula Sub-County Director of Education, John Kemei, announced that the decision to close the school was made following a high-level meeting with the school’s Board of Management (BoM).
“We have assessed the situation and found that it is no longer tenable for learning to continue. We want to give students a break so they can go and relax a bit as investigations commence,” Kemei stated during a press briefing.
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The fire broke out at around 11 p.m. on Sunday, reportedly while students were asleep. The dormitory housed approximately 200 students and was completely destroyed in the blaze. Locals living near the school responded swiftly and helped contain the fire, preventing further damage.
“We want to thank the community members who came out in the wee hours of the night, including a former Member of County Assembly, for their quick response and bravery,” added Kemei.
Emergency responders rushed the injured students to Khunyangu District Hospital, where four of them were later referred to Busia County Referral Hospital for specialized care due to the severity of their burns.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but investigations are underway to determine the origin and whether foul play was involved.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another school fire reported on Saturday, May 10, at Igikiro Boys High School in Makuyu, Murang’a County. That fire also destroyed a dormitory, although no injuries were reported. Preliminary investigations there pointed to arson, with at least three students implicated and one suspect already in police custody.
Education officials and local authorities in Busia are urging calm among parents and students as the matter is being handled.
The Ministry of Education has reiterated the importance of enhancing school safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.